Rectilinear leaky-wave antennas with broad beam patterns using hybrid printed-circuit waveguides

A theoretical study on the design of broadbeam leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) of uniform type and rectilinear geometry is presented. A new broadbeam LWA structure based on the hybrid printed-circuit waveguide is proposed, which allows for the necessary flexible and independent control of the leaky-wave phase and leakage constants. The study shows that both the real and virtual focus LWAs can be synthesized in a simple manner by tapering the printed-slot along the LWA properly, but the real focus LWA is preferred in practice. Practical issues concerning the tapering of these LWA are investigated, including the tuning of the radiation pattern asymmetry level and beamwidth, the control of the ripple level inside the broad radiated main beam, and the frequency response of the broadbeam LWA. The paper provides new insight and guidance for the design of this type of LWAs.